Wasps end Leicester Tigers’ unbeaten record
COVENTRY, ENGLAND - JANUARY 09: Alfie Barbeary of Wasps celebrates during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby match between Wasps and Leicester Tigers at The Coventry Building Society Arena on January 09, 2022 in Coventry, England. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)
Wasps………………………16
Try: Penalty Penalties: Gopperth (3)
Try: Montoya Con: Ford Penalties: Ford (2)
HT 7-13
A depleted Wasps ended Leicester Tigers‘ perfect record in the Premiership with a 16-13 victory at the CBS Arena, Coventry.
Tigers were unable to score in the second half after a resurgent Wasps turned it on after a disappointing first half.
Tigers led 13-7 after Julian Montoya’s try and two George Ford penalties despite conceding an early penalty try.
Despite the sin-binnings of Tommy Reffell and skipper Ellis Genge, Tigers were the far superior side going into the break.
George Ford’s ability to continually create chances in close contact was creating openings for Leicester in a dominant first half performance.
Wasps head coach Lee Blackett knew a second-half improvement was necessary and a tactical switch provided it.
After the break, Wasps showed much more adventure. Young hooker Dan Frost came off the bench and created many chances with intelligent play with the ball in hand.
It was the boot of Jimmy Gopperth that got Wasps back into the game and into an eventual lead, with three second half penalties.
Gopperth’s work at inside centre complemented the halves work of Sam Wolstenholme and Charlie Atkinson as Wasps took the ball to the line and forced Tigers back.
The winning penalty came with ten minutes to go as Wasps opted against going to corner, instead kicking for the three point lead. An ice cold Gopperth penalty took Wasps into a lead.
Tigers mounted a late surge in the final moments, but the hosts stood firm. Jubilant celebrations followed as referee Foley blew for a Wasps penalty metres from their own try-line.
The win ended Leicester Tigers 15 game unbeaten run in all competitions.
Wasps: Crossdale; Hougaard, Spink, Gopperth, Bassett; Atkinson, Wolstenholme; Hislop, Cruse, Toomaga-Allen, Cardall, Stooke, Barbeary, Shields (capt), Willis.
Replacements: Frost, Nearchou, Alo, Gaskell, Young, W Porter, Mills, Miller.
Leicester: Steward; Potter, Scott, Kelly, G Porter; Ford, Van Poortvliet; Genge (capt), Montoya, Cole, Green, Snyman, Wells, Reffell, Chessum.
Replacements: Clare, Whitcombe, Heyes, Murimurivalu, Dolly, B Youngs, Burns, Moroni.
Referee: Tom Foley (RFU).
